Respiratory Therapists

Does not pass

• Maintain charts that contain patients' pertinent identification and therapy information.

  reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 8.1% of the role's time · $922M

• Monitor patient's physiological responses to therapy, such as vital signs, arterial blood gases, or blood chemistry changes, and consult with physician if adverse reactions occur.

  physical work, outside the screen · 7.9% of the role's time · $909M

• Work as part of a team of physicians, nurses, or other healthcare professionals to manage patient care by assisting with medical procedures or related duties.

  physical work, outside the screen · 7.6% of the role's time · $870M

• Set up and operate devices, such as mechanical ventilators, therapeutic gas administration apparatus, environmental control systems, or aerosol generators, following specified parameters of treatment.

  physical work, outside the screen · 6.6% of the role's time · $759M

• Determine requirements for treatment, such as type, method and duration of therapy, precautions to be taken, or medication and dosages, compatible with physicians' orders.

  reason given most often: no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 6.2% of the role's time · $706M

• Read prescription, measure arterial blood gases, and review patient information to assess patient condition.

  physical work, outside the screen · 6.0% of the role's time · $689M

• Enforce safety rules and ensure careful adherence to physicians' orders.

  reason given most often: no existing check settles it, and a failure is too expensive · 5.8% of the role's time · $660M

• Explain treatment procedures to patients to gain cooperation and allay fears.

  reason given most often: no existing check settles it · 5.7% of the role's time · $657M

• Perform bronchopulmonary drainage and assist or instruct patients in performance of breathing exercises.

  physical work, outside the screen · 5.1% of the role's time · $581M

• Inspect, clean, test, and maintain respiratory therapy equipment to ensure equipment is functioning safely and efficiently, ordering repairs when necessary.

  physical work, outside the screen · 4.8% of the role's time · $555M

• Educate patients and their families about their conditions and teach appropriate disease management techniques, such as breathing exercises or the use of medications or respiratory equipment.

  reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 4.6% of the role's time · $532M

• Relay blood analysis results to a physician.

  reason given most often: a failure is too expensive · 4.4% of the role's time · $507M

• Conduct tests, such as electrocardiograms (EKGs), stress testing, or lung capacity tests, to evaluate patients' cardiopulmonary functions.

  physical work, outside the screen · 3.8% of the role's time · $435M

• Make emergency visits to resolve equipment problems.

  physical work, outside the screen · 3.4% of the role's time · $388M

• Demonstrate respiratory care procedures to trainees or other healthcare personnel.

  physical work, outside the screen · 3.0% of the role's time · $349M

• Provide emergency care, such as artificial respiration, external cardiac massage, or assistance with cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

  physical work, outside the screen · 3.0% of the role's time · $347M

• Use a variety of testing techniques to assist doctors in cardiac or pulmonary research or to diagnose disorders.

  physical work, outside the screen · 2.9% of the role's time · $336M

• Transport patients to the hospital or within the hospital.

  physical work, outside the screen · 2.7% of the role's time · $310M

• Perform pulmonary function and adjust equipment to obtain optimum results in therapy.

  physical work, outside the screen · 2.5% of the role's time · $285M

• Teach, train, supervise, or use the assistance of students, respiratory therapy technicians, or assistants.

  reason given most often: nobody can tell quickly whether it worked, and no existing check settles it · 2.4% of the role's time · $269M

• Monitor cardiac patients, using electrocardiography devices, such as a holter monitor.

  physical work, outside the screen · 1.9% of the role's time · $222M

• Perform endotracheal intubation to maintain open airways for patients who are unable to breathe on their own.

  physical work, outside the screen · 1.4% of the role's time · $160M